Packaging Guide

5 Common Mistakes When Making Packaging Boxes

With the rise of the internet, it has become much easier to find specialized resources for startups and solo business owners and to create packaging boxes on your own. But managing and ordering every material yourself can still lead to unexpected problems. How many units should you produce, can you be sure they’ll arrive on time, and what should you do if a large order turns out unsatisfactory or a printing error occurs?


Written byPackative
Read Time4 min read
Posted onMay 12, 2020
5 Common Mistakes When Making Packaging Boxes

With the rise of the internet, it has become much easier to find specialized resources for startups and solo business owners and to create packaging boxes on your own. But managing and ordering every material yourself can still lead to unexpected problems.

How many units should you produce, can you be sure they’ll arrive on time, and what should you do if a large order turns out unsatisfactory or a printing error occurs?
If you want to know exactly what a packaging box is, check it out here!

Packative provides a guide to help prevent these kinds of mistakes in advance. To help you manage and produce items online without errors, we’ve put together five common mistakes people make. Of course, the best way to reduce risk is to consult with Packative’s CS team.

If you’re working on a packaging design, see also: 5 Tips for Creating Package Design!

Mistake 1 When Making Packaging Boxes: Choosing the Wrong Size or Material

Who would make such a basic mistake? This issue is more difficult than it seems. Even if you measure your product and create a box that fits perfectly, it can become a serious problem if you don’t consider space for cushioning when the product is fragile.

Also, make sure you choose a sturdy material that can support the weight of the product. A box for lightweight clothing and a box for jarred jam should be made from different materials.

Mistake 2 When Making Packaging Boxes: Not Following the Design Guidelines

This is the biggest risk of online ordering when you don’t visit a print shop in person. It’s also a common mistake for design beginners.

Make sure you’ve created your graphics in CMYK, the print color mode, and check in advance whether the typography is too small to read. Revising colors and design takes a long time, so it’s best to make sure you avoid mistakes from the start.

If you’re considering box production, read this first: Facts About Color You Should Know Before Making a Packaging Box

Mistake 3 When Making Packaging Boxes: Weak Branding

It’s important to create a packaging box that feels unique and creative, but you should always consider your branding first. No matter how beautiful the box is, if it doesn’t align with your product or brand concept, it will be difficult to leave a lasting impression of your brand and its value. Put branding first when designing. Use colors and typography that relate to your brand, and connect the product’s overall concept to the brand as well.

If you’re working on a packaging design, see also: How to Convey Your Brand Message Through Package Design

Source: cremula / Between the ready-made product and the package without branding... which one do you like better? ^^

Mistake 4 When Making Packaging Boxes: Being Too Greedy

Do you want to explain all the strengths of your product in as much detail as possible? Are you planning to pack the box with lots of text to get the message across? That’s probably not a good idea. In design, too many elements are usually more of a drawback than fewer elements. Include only the graphics and text that are truly necessary so customers don’t feel burdened when taking in the information. Rather than putting everything on the product or box, creating an additional card or booklet to ship with the product can have a more positive effect.

Source: Superthrive / Source: tigihairreborn

If you’re working on a packaging design, see also: Unboxing — The Unexpected New Marketing Trend of Our Time!

Mistake 5 When Making Packaging Boxes: Making Reordering Difficult

Did you accidentally delete your design file? Maybe you thought you wouldn’t need it anymore, but because the product became unexpectedly popular, you may need to place an additional order. If the website you ordered from stores your design and lets you reorder only the quantity you need whenever you need it, you won’t end up with unnecessary inventory, and you can place quick orders on demand. Editing is also easy!

Using Packative’s online design editor makes it very easy to manage saved designs, revisions, and printing. And you won’t need to stack boxes in the corner of your office because of excessive minimum order quantities — a win-win!

Visit Packative’s website and create your own custom package. You can even check your custom quote instantly.